This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

OTTAWA—New Democrat Leader Thomas Mulcair is calling for a formal workplace harassment policy on Parliament Hill that allows victims to remain in control of the process.

“Our hope is to find the most appropriate procedures and policies for the unique environment that is Parliament, which can at the same time work as a model for other workplaces. Any less would be unacceptable,” Mulcair and NDP whip Nycole Turmel wrote in a letter Thursday to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

The lack of a sexual harassment protocol governing MPs and their office staff is at the heart of an investigation into unspecified allegations of “personal misconduct” levelled against two former Liberal MPs — Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti — involving two unidentified female New Democrat MPs.

They were suspended from the Liberal caucus Nov. 5 and have both said they did nothing wrong.

The Liberals asked Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer and the secretive multi-party Board of Internal Economy to look at setting up a proper process for dealing with such complaints.

The NDP listed their suggestions in the letter Thursday and made it clear that any new process should respect the privacy and wishes of the complainants.

Mulcair and Turmel said there should be “a confidential and fair process to be followed when a complaint arises, which provides protection and support to those making a complaint” and “the unencumbered right of victims to maintain control over their complaint and the process, including the right to have their privacy respected.”

Trudeau has said he had no choice but to act and that he was careful not to reveal the gender, names or party affiliation of the MPs.

The NDP letter sent Thursday calls for “a clear definition of harassment,” for which there would be zero tolerance in Parliament.

The NDP calls for “a new, formal Code of Conduct around harassment,” which could involve amending parliamentary rules.

The NDP also wants the nomination of “an independent non-partisan third-party officer of Parliament” who would review incidents quickly, keep complainants in the loop, advise them of services available, including those provided by the criminal justice system.

The proposed officer would also be responsible for “undertaking investigations where appropriate” and suggesting possible solutions.

Other ideas include training and education for all MPs and staffers.

The NDP wants representatives from all parties to meet with Scheer’s office within the next week.

“Any allegation of sexual harassment must be taken very seriously. The Board of Internal Economy has been charged with looking into this matter and that process will now unfold,” PMO spokesman Stephen Lecce said in an email Thursday.

“We’re look at any constructive measure to improve workplace safety and protect people from harassment,” Trudeau spokeswoman Kate Purchase said in an email Thursday.

The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please contact us or see our privacy policy for more information.

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com